EAB battle plan

Hundreds of ash trees will be cut down statewide. UW-Entomologist Chris Williamson, who contributed to the state agriculture department's pre-written Emerald Ash Borer response plan, says clear cutting is the "most effective" approach to fighting the invader.

"However, the caveat to that is we have to know the distribution of that particular organism (EAB)."

Officials are now discussing quarantining ash products from the region around Ozaukee County where the invader was found . Williamson says quarantines are effective as long as everyone follows them. As universities study EAB, and as Williamson continues researching invasive species in the Chicago area, he says it's possible alternative strategies to battle it may arise.

He says you can help in the fight against the green beetle by report possible EAB signs. They include s-shaped scrolling under the bark, as well as leaves yellowing and/or falling during the summer.